History
I already wrote about places that attract people for many hundreds of years. In this sense, the Åland Islands are a very vivid example.
According to research, on these six thousand islands (some sources tell about 6700 islands), people settled for 4000 years BC. And, it is precisely known that around 2400 BC they already had their own culture and ceramics.
The Åland islands were constantly involved in hostilities between Sweden and Russia because of their position. Peter I and Alexander II were here with Russian army. And the islands, as a part of the Russian Empire, actively participated in the Crimean War.
But at that moment the military history of the islands was ended. Since 1856, the islands have been recognized as a demilitarized zone. This status is still preserved - the inhabitants of the islands are exempt from military duties (in fact, the status has changed and was approved several times, but this is an another story).
The next interesting fact about the Åland Islands is their autonomy. Historically, the main population of the islands is the Swedes. But politically, the islands have belonged to Finland since the formation of the Finnish principality. When Finland gained independence at the beginning of the 20th century, the inhabitants of the islands decided to go under the protection of Sweden. They collected signatures, made a petition, but did so slowly (from March to December) that ... did not have time. By this time, Finland became independent and did not want to let Åland Islands go.
The Aland Convention was adopted with the participation of the League of Nations. The Åland Islands become part of Finland, but with the rights of autonomy.
Now the islands are a zone of special taxation, which positively affects for their economy.
What is the main thing in the life of this small autonomy? Of course, the sea.
There are more than a thousand years of experience of navigation, passage through bottlenecks and channels of the archipelago of the Baltic Sea, fishing (there are unique types of fish) and tourism.
The islands are very developed agriculture. Dairy products from Åland Islands won prizes in European competitions. Traditionally, cider and beer are brewed here. There is even a local wine.
Tourism is also has a great importance. According to statistics, about 2 million tourists a year visit the islands with a population about 30 thousand citizens. We also joined this crowd.
Our mistake
Of course, we were going to not only visit the capital of the Aland Islands, where we lived, but also walked on the another islands. But we made one big mistake: we arrived on the islands without a car, because it was necessary to pay for it on the ferry, and "there are free buses on the islands."
- This is the library near the station. At first I even thought it was the bus station, but it turned out that it was not there at all *
So, firstly, the buses from 2013 are no longer free. Secondly, they walk, on average, only 6 times a day.
Since we arrived in the afternoon, there are only two buses left. And the price "did missed the last bus" was very high - about 23 kilometers on foot. Of course, it would be possible to take a car, but the problem is that the traffic activity in that places was very low. Nevertheless, we took a chance and still had time to look and take a few photos of a couple of very interesting places.
The ruined fortress of Bomarsund
One of the places we so much wanted to see was the fortress of Bomarsund (Bomarzund). Russian fortress, which has never been built to the end.
The plan was great. The fortress was not to be just a fortification, but a place of influence of the Russian Empire on the entire Baltic archipelago, as opposition to Swedish influence. 6 towers and 3 kilometers of walls - it would be a good place to found a city.
But the ideological inspirer of the construction of the fortress - Barclay de Tolly was died. Construction slowed. As a result, by the beginning of the Crimean War the fortress has only one of the towers.
Therefore, the fortress was quickly captured and destroyed by the British. The garrison, consisting mainly of Finns, was captured.
After the end of the Crimean War, the Aland Islands became a demilitarized zone. Alexander II in 1861 was founded the capital of Aland — Mariehamn, named after his wife Maria.
The stones of the fortress became the basis for many buildings around.
There are plans of restoration the fortress.
It is very picturesque area.
The Prasto Island is the island of the dead, there are six burial places of different faiths.
Kastelholm
The only medieval castle on the Åland Islands is the Kastelholm
The first mention of this castle dates back to the 14th century.
It was a Swedish castle, which passed a path from the defense place to the prison through a many destructions and fires.
Here is the ethnographic museum. There are a lot of windmills, old houses and other buildings.
There is also a fashionable restaurant with a famous chef.
A little pretty stop.
Mariehamn
The next day we walked around the capital of the Aland Islands.
Mariehamn is surrounded by pedestrian paths.
Most of the paths run along the seashore. There are equipped places for rest.
Sometimes we found a blueberry, but it did`t sweet in autumn.
There is a sailboat "Pommern" on repair, it will be open next year.
Sea spirit is everywhere! For example, this is not a monument to dolphins, but a ship's screw cut into four parts.
Old boathouses with old boats.
Church «on water».
Another strange building «on water».
It is clear that sailors can`t be without mermaids.
There is also a bar and a museum nearby.
There is a small disappointment with the mailboxes. In many tourist sources it was pointed out that on the Åland Islands are unique mailboxes and it is the subject of pride of Alands. But we have not seen a single "unique", only usual mailboxes.
In the city there are also strange ruins that can be seen directly from the ferry.
Let's go to the photos of the city itself, for this we use the local cat!
The local university
The old church
A few of beautiful old cars.
So, that`s all.
Afterword
Each journey changes a person a little. It extends the limits of his perception. The journey to the Åland Islands was the journey that seems to have brought us to a new orbit. Now we know what the northern paradise for introverts looks like this islands. After all, of the 6,000 islands inhabited only 60!
Of course, we want to come back here again. In the summer, with a car and preferably some kind of boat.
** We would like to thank the community of Mapala once again, for the opportunity to make this small but amazing trip!**
Introduction you could read here
More information about Mapala and Travelchain